Belize downs Antigua & Barbuda for third spot

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao, May 12, 2013 - For the second time in their two meetings, Tichele Solis was one of three players to score in double-digits as Belize overpowered Antigua & Barbuda in straight sets (25-16, 25-20, 25-18) for third spot in their second round NORCECA Group J qualifiers for the 2014 FIVB Women’s World Championship in Italy on Sunday night.

Playing in the penultimate match of the four-team tournament, Solis tallied 13 points, all spikes, while Shantell Arnold got 12, five of which were aces, and captain Sherylee Young-Thornton, 11 in their victory in 61 minutes at the International School of Curacao Auditorium, Willemstad.

It was the second win in as many meetings for Belize over Antigua & Barbuda, after emerging 25-11, 18-25, 25-22, 25-13 victors when both teams met on Saturday’s opening day of competition.

Antigua & Barbuda was outplayed by a much more determine Belize unit which outscored its opponent, in spikes (31-15) and service aces (12-2).

”Young-Thornton, was delighted with the win by her Belize team to secure third spot.

She said, “Coming into the tournament we had our target of a top two finish, but we were not able to get it and end the end, the experience of playing at this level against teams from the other zones that make up NORCECA was a great experience for us.”

Commenting after the match, Giselle Azar, Antigua and Barbuda captain noted the absence of some key players in the team affected their blocking and attack strength, which was two of their weak points during the two-day tournament.

She added, “We still managed to step up our passing from the two previous matches and we played with a little more passion and energy, but it the end it was still not good enough and I credit Belize for their play.

Allan Sharp, coach of Belize said he was very proud of his team even though it missed out on a top two finish which would have secured an automatic qualification spot to the third round.

He added, “For us it was a great experience to play against the taller, stronger and more athletic teams than we normally do, because in Central America we are used to playing against the smaller players.

Sharp also praised NORCECA for its vision in the way the qualifiers were set up whereby teams from different zones have to face each other.

“As a team and federation, Belize is very happy for the great exposure we got because we know it will help us to improve in the future,” said Sharp.

Antigua & Barbuda coach, Esron Gittens while admitting his team missed the services of some key players said he was still disappointed with the results as he thinks his team is much better than winning only set in four matches.

By finishing third Belize still has a chance to qualifying for the third round, but will need to do it as the best third place finisher from all six groups of the second round qualifiers.

In Sunday’s final that followed host Curacao which topped the round-robin series with maximum 15 points came up against Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association champions, St Lucia, with both teams already assured of qualification to the third round of qualification to Italy, When they met on Saturday morning, Curacao won 25-12, 25-22, 25-19.